Some big bruins were among the 1,029 taken by hunters during the 2-day post-Thanksgiving bear season.

The biggest, according to a live-weight estimate by Pennsylvania Game Commission biologists, was a 520-pound (field-dressed weight) male bear shot by Christopher Kitko, Houtzdale, in Clearfield County. Kitko's monster was estimated to have had a live weight in excess of 600 pounds.

The only actual live weight known is that of Gary Hazen's bear which was brought to the Shohola check station intact. The trophy scaled out at 512 pounds and was shot by the Stroudsburg hunter in Elbow Swamp, Pike County. A total of eight black bears with weights in excess of 500 pounds were taken by hunters this year. They included (field-dressed weights listed): a 487-pound bear shot by Cliff Swanson of Albrightsville, in Carbon County; Joseph Forish of McAdoo, with a 418-pound Schuylkill County bruin; Robert Ryan of Mahanoy City, shot a 412-pounder in Lycoming County; and Frank Russell, Lehighton, who downed a 401-pounder in Carbon County.

According to game commission biologist Gary Alt, 18 per cent must be added to the field-dressed weight of a bear to get it's live weight.

The game commission has labeled the 1985 bear season a "underharvest" in that it was hoped more bruins than the 1,029 registered would be culled from the estimated population of 6,000 statewide. Increased incidences of damage complaints and road-killed bears result when less than 20-25 percent of the bear population is not killed annually by hunters. This year's hunting season accounted for an estimated 14 per cent reduction in bear numbers.

Last year hunters accounted for 1,547 kills; 1,529 in 1983. This year hunters killed 923 bears on opening day, Nov. 25, and 106 the following day.

* * *

Pennsylvania turkey federation meeting set - The Pennsylvania Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation is seeking early bird registrants for the annual meeting of the flock next March 14 and 15.

The weekend festivities will include exhibits, films, seminars by some of the country's top hunters and callers, and calling, photo and taxidermy competitions. The meeting will be held in Monroeville at the Howard Johnson Motor Lodge.

Fly tying classes offered - The Little Lehigh Chapter of Trout Unlimited will conduct fly tying classes for novices beginning Saturday, Jan. 11, 1986 and continuing through March 22. Although there will be no cost for the course, participants will be required to furnish their own equipment.

The sessions will be held at 9:30-11 a.m. each Saturday in the Second Floor Conference Room at the Whitehall Mall. For details contact John Mauser evenings after 6 at 262-2898.

The monthly chapter meeting will be held tonight at 7, also in the Whitehall Mall Conference Room. Non-members interested in knowing more about the work of the local TU Chapter are invited.

* * *

Indian artifacts book available - If someone on your Christmas list has an interest in North American Indians and their artifacts, Bob Brand's book on the subject may be of interest to you.

How To Collect North American Indian Artifacts is a 151-page guide to finding, identifying, displaying and learning more about the fascinating sport of artifact collecting. Illustrated with 100 drawings, the book is a one-of-a- kind guide to Indian relics.